This is interesting. Especially the part where Thaye Dorje said “Something beautiful, something beneficial will emerge, for all of us.” and it will have a positive impact. I am really interested to know what He really mean with that. Perhaps a successor for him, like His father, Him. Well, in time it will reveal itself.

But it is good to know although He will not be a monk, He will continue His responsibilities and to teach.

Any thoughts?

A senior Tibetan lama based in India, who is one of the claimants to the title of Karmapa Lama, has married a childhood friend and abandoned monkhood, his office announced on Thursday.

Thaye Dorje, 33, married Rinchen Yangzom, 36, in a private ceremony attended by close family members in New Delhi on March 25. His office described the couple as “close childhood friends” who have known each other for more than 19 years.

“I have a strong feeling, deep within my heart, that my decision to marry will have a positive impact not only for me, but also for the lineage,” Thaye Dorje was quoted as saying in a statement posted on his website.

“Something beautiful, something beneficial will emerge, for all of us.”

Rinchen Yangzom, whose Tibetan name means “precious prosperity gathered”, was born in Thimphu and was educated in India and Europe. Thaye Dorje proposed to her according to Tibetan traditions on January 19.

A spokesman for Thaye Dorje told Hindustan Times that he will no longer be a monk but will continue “as the lineage lama and as the Karmapa, including by offering teachings and blessings to students around the world”.

The statement said Thaye Dorje “appreciates that the news of his marriage will come as a surprise to many, and has faith that his students will understand his wish to have kept private this personal element of his very public life”. He and his wife will make their first public appearance together in Bodhgaya in December this year.

Thaye Dorje has claimed since childhood to be the reincarnation of the Karmapa Lama, the 12th century leader of one of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Ogyen Trinley Dorje, another monk who fled from Tibet to India in 1999, is recognised by many followers of the Karma Kagyu school as the Karmapa Lama. He is also recognised by the Dalai Lama.

The spokesman said Thaye Dorje has been the “Karmapa from birth” and will “continue his activities as the Karmapa”. He added, “He will hold meditation sessions and will continues his travels, including a European tour that will take him to countries such as Sweden and Spain.”

The 15-day period following the wedding is a “sacred time” and Thaye Dorje and his wife will spend this time with their extended families, the spokesman said.

Thaye Dorje was born in Tibet and his father was a high lama while his mother was descended from Tibetan nobility. According to his official biography, he was one-and-a-half years old when he started telling people that he was the Karmapa Lama.

The Karmapa Lama is not the only senior Tibetan Buddhist title to be disputed.

In 1995, China’s atheist government picked a young boy to be the Panchen Lama – a role already filled by another boy chosen by the Dalai Lama.

The Dalai Lama’s choice was detained by Chinese authorities at the age of six and has not been seen since.

The Panchen Lama traditionally plays a significant role in the choice of the Dalai Lama’s successor. But China’s Communist Party has repeatedly said it has the right to control the process of reincarnation.

Many Tibetan Buddhists fear the Chinese government is putting in place a set-up to impose its choice of spiritual leader after the Dalai Lama’s death.

My thoughts : to dis-robe or abandoned monkhood, it's such a waste for spiritual path. ( in my case : if i were a monk, i will continue to be and until the day i passed away ),So... i am not here to judge Thaye Dorje, what he did is maybe wrong or maybe right?

Some schools of Tibetan Buddhism doesn't require one to be ordained to be a teacher or master. Therefore, if the motivation and the actions of Thaye Dorje are in line with a higher order, I don't think it is my place to judge him. Motivation is the key to karma and merits and so, if the motivation is right, and he continues to benefit more people, well, and good.

We shouldn't be quick to judge others but have to reflect on what the motivation is.

This is interesting to see High Lamas like him to return his vows and take on a consort. It is not uncommon to see highly attained lamas who are pure monks in their previous lives, take on a consort and usually, the offspring they produce will be beneficial to Dharma. This kind of relationship is very special and beneficial to the lineage.

These high lamas do not take on a consort to fulfil their own desires. They do not create negative karma because they do not have attachment or desire towards the consort or any activities that will be done with the consort. It was done purely to benefit other sentient beings. This what highly attained beings can do to benefit others.

Many would think it is a hoax or the lama did it to fulfil his desires. But if we examine the lama's previous lives, we will know how highly attained that lama is. If he is very attained lama, the chances of him degenerating to the level of a normal human being are impossible. There is a level of attainments where anyone that reach that level or beyond, their mind will not degenerate. Hence, many of the attained lamas are able to carry out their duty to spread Dharma life after life without being distracted by samsaric pleasures.

It was a big surprise to everyone when Karmapa Thaye Dorje announced he was going to marry his childhood friend. But his followers seem to be ok with that. Actually, did he disrobe? Is he still wearing the monk's robe?

It is true that sometimes high lamas will disrobe and get a consort. Their consorts are not ordinary people, their children are born with a special mission to benefit all sentient beings. Karmapa Thaye Dorje's first child, a baby boy was born not long ago.

I think the baby must be some kind of special being who was born to benefit us. If Karmapa wants to lead a layperson's life and have a happy family, he could have just left the center and say goodbye to his followers, but he didn't. I am curious to see what the baby will become when he grows up.

I would say we shouldn't just judge someone who has that level of attainments, of their decisions. They have the clairvoyance of what is needed to benefit others, even at the sacrifice of their reputation. Besides, if he is the real thing, then it does not matter he is married or not as the Dharma that he teaches still carries the beneficial path of the Buddha. There had been many examples of Lamas having their consorts and were still equally effective in their teachings and practices. May the baby manifests greatness to benefit sentient beings, swiftly.